Elderly dog having some sort of fit

[Elderlydogsrus]

Hi all,

I have an old girl, 15, about 6 weeks ago she had some sort of weird fit/seizure. Took her to the vets, they gave her some pain relief incase it wasn’t a fit or seizure, she had also had a wee in the mist of this episode and they thought maybe she had done this because she was in pain with her legs and couldn’t get up.
Anyway fast forward to Thursday night/Friday morning just gone, again had one of these episodes, accident while it was happening both wee and poo and then again this morning.
I’ve spoken to the vets at great length and have been advised basically it’s a waiting game.
I just feel so torn about what to do for the best, well meaning people saying to me ‘she seems fine’ isn’t helping or making this any easier for me.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Your post just made me cry. I’m assuming you’re talking from personal experience and I just want to give you an unmumsnetty hug.

Our beloved dog RIP had epilepsy for several years before he passed away. He did have a very good quality of life for a long time after the epilepsy diagnosis.

We were asked to video the next seizure and take him to neurology specialist vets. We went to NDSR who were very good.

They did a brain MRI to exclude tumours, which showed a bit of damage resembling a possible mini stroke but no malignancy or other tumour. They then advised treating the epilepsy with medication.

He was medicated for the epilepsy and this was very effective. Bloods were done regularly. About 3 years later he had a seizure again so we returned to the neurologist who assessed him and increased the dose of medication.

Ultimately, he died of heart failure. We reached the point one day where we felt his quailty of life wasn't high enough, so we took him to the vet who put him to sleep.

It will depend on multiple factors such as age, other health conditions and the cause of the epilepsy as to whether it's kinder to treat it or to put your beloved dog to sleep.

Sorry you and your dog are experiencing this awful condition.

Just thought I would update, I tried to go
to the vets for bloods again today but they told me there really wasn’t much point. The bloods aren’t likely to show the answers and even if they were there isn’t a cure for this at her age. They believe it’s something to with her brain though and this wouldn’t show on the blood tests.

So sorry @Elderlydogsrus . It's good that the vets didn't want to put her through any unnecessary tests though.
Spoil her rotten and make the most of the time you have left together.

Ah, so sorry @Elderlydogsrus
I dont think the heat helps our old dogs, so hopefully now it’s cooler she will be more comfortable.

Hi everyone,

I just thought I would update this thread.
We made the choice to put our lovely old girl to sleep shortly after I started this thread.
She had another couple of incidents where she was waking up in her own mess following what we think were fits.
I just wanted to say that although people always say, you will know when it’s time, you just know….this was not the case for us, it really was not clear cut and was a really hard decision to make. I just thought that I would add this incase in future anyone is looking for advice and also doesn’t feel like the answer is clear. We ultimately made the decision when we did because we didn’t want to the run the risk of her having a massive fit and dying in an undignified way. It did help that the vet backed our decision and didn’t suggest any alternatives.
We had a lovely last day with her and she will be loved and missed forever.

I am so sorry @Elderlydogsrus . You made the right decision.

I agree it is incredibly hard to make the decision.

Your dog has been loved and cared for and your selfless decision has saved her from any suffering.

Look after yourself

Sorry to hear this OP. It sounds like you made the right decision. How wonderful that your dog had 15 lovely years with you; it’s a wonderful age. Absolutely echo what the poster above said. You did the ultimate kindness.

I am very sorry for your loss OP. 15yrs is a brilliant age, and she obviously had a wonderful and long life with you. Take care xx

So sorry @Elderlydogsrus. You may have been unsure, but you made the decision with love and kindness. Your lovely girl was safe and secure in your love and you prevented any future suffering. Big hugs x